While Shari is just a big kid at heart, I’m always trying to do serious projects. All she wants to do is fun things, like build toys. Well, we reached a compromise and she let me build (I mean I let her build) a very useful child’s toy a growth chart. Next thing she’ll want me to build is a toy box. (One can only hope.)

Materials:

A homemade giraffe growth chart is a fun addition to a child's room.

1-inch by 10-inch by 6-inch pine board

Circular saw

Straightedge

Pencil

120- and 220-grade sandpaper

Interior latex paint

Step 1: Drawing the giraffe

For our giraffe we started at the base and measured up about 18 inches, made a slight curve to come toward the center of the board and then started the neck, which is 5 inches wide. We drew the neck using a straightedge and went up about 42 inches. Then we drew the head, which measured 12 inches in height. The head was basically an oval with the antlers added on top.

Step 2: Cutting out the pieces

Cut out the design using a jigsaw. Make sure you go slowly around curves and tight spaces so that the cut will be smooth and the blade won’t break. After the design has been cut out, use 120-grit sandpaper and sand all the edges.

Step 3: Make him (or her) come alive

Using interior latex paint, paint the body of the giraffe first (we painted both sides), then add simple details like spots, eyes and a happy grin with coordinating colors. If your child is old enough, this is a fun project for them to help with, too.

Step 4: Building the base

The base is just a piece of 1-inch by 10-inch pine board cut to an 18-inch length. This will be attached to the growth chart from the bottom. Cut a triangular piece that will be used as a back support for the growth chart. Using 1-inch by 4-inch pine about 12 inches to 18 inches long, cut diagonally from one corner to the opposite center. Paint both of the pieces in the same color as the body of the giraffe.

Step 5: Puttin’ it together!

Attach the triangle support to the base. Place the triangle on the base with the short end of the triangle near the back of the base. From the bottom attach the triangle using dry wall screws. Drill pilot holes first so that you don’t split the wood. Set the body of the giraffe on the base and attach the body by driving screws through to triangle into the back of the body. Make sure that you don’t drive screws completely through the body. Flip the giraffe over and drive three to four screws up through the base into the bottom of the giraffe.

Step 6: Does he measure up?

The last thing you need to make this a true growth chart is something to measure with. Purchase a fabric tape measure in a sewing department and, using a staple gun, attach it to the center of the giraffe’s body and neck. Put a staple in about every 12 inches. Just make sure to leave enough room on either side of the tape to mark the child’s height and date.

Extra tip: Don’t be afraid to be creative and do designs of your own. How about a huge smiling sunflower for a garden theme room, or an astronaut for a space theme? The options are endless if you let your imagination go.

Matt Fox writes this column with Shari Hiller. They also co-host the Home and Garden Television show “Room by Room.” For more information, visit www.hgtv.com.